Explained: The Reason Why F1 Delayed DRS Activation Despite Driver Complaints at the Imola GP

Although the Imola GP was not thrilling as the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the fans witnessed some exciting moments during Sunday’s Grand Prix. Many believe DRS was part of the reason the race was not as enticing as expected. Yes, you read it right. DRS, which usually enables a driver to overtake, was not enabled until lap 35 during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The DRS is usually not activated if the FIA feels the racing conditions are unsafe. In this case, the rain played a part in the decision. The track was wet at the start of the race, and all the drivers started with intermediate tires. As the race progressed, the dry line on the track was visible and many, including the drivers, expected the DRS to be activated.

However, to their surprise, the FIA decided against it despite drivers opting for dry tires. After the race, some drivers voiced their opinion on this subject as it hampered their chances of an overtake.

Why was DRS activated so late in the race?

After all the drivers started on intermediate tires, Daniel Ricciardo was the first driver to change to soft tires after his crash with Carlos Sainz. Following Ricciardo, all the drivers moved away from the intermediate as the track started to dry. However, there was no sign of DRS activation and it frustrated some of them.

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The decision affected Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in particular. The Briton was behind Pierre Gasly and could not overtake the Frenchman because of the lack of DRS. A poor pit stop followed and Hamilton was stuck in the DRS train created after the FIA activated it during lap 35.

Meanwhile, Leclerc had the opportunity to capitalize on Sergio Perez’s mistake of going into the grass early on. However, the Monegasque could not complete the overtake for the same reason.

Of course, the FIA had its reasons to not activate the DRS. The Imola GP in 2021 witnessed a similar track condition compared to this year. We are sure F1 fans will remember the incident between Russell and Bottas in Imola. The Brit’s use of DRS to overtake Bottas caused the accident. Turn 2 in Imola is a DRS zone and is quite narrow and curled. Hence, there is a risk that an overtake in these conditions could cause a crash.

Drivers have their say on DRS

Sebastian Vettel agreed with the FIA’s decision to not activate DRS until lap 35. He said, “I think it was the right decision to wait – obviously, it depends where you are, but it’s so difficult to see the differences between a real dry track and a little bit damp down there, with the shade from the trees and stuff, so I think it was the right call.”

Daniel Ricciardo, meanwhile, was against the decision taken by the FIA. The Australian was the first one to change into soft compound tires from intermediate tires. He felt it hampered his chances of overtaking.

He said, “I was asking them please activate DRS. I don’t know why they waited so long to activate it because no overtakings were going to happen. Nothing was happening.”

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With contrasting opinions among drivers, do you think the FIA should have enabled the DRS earlier? Leave your thoughts in the comments.